BROOM MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

All of the meadows in John Dean Park are “broom free”. The park has 9 Broom Zones:

5 x Flagship Presentation zones

2 x Trail-side Viewpoint zones

2 x Special Place zones

Noteworthy: few parks within the region have received such a long-time commitment towards the complete removal of broom.

Updated: Autumn 2017 – monthly 15min per Broom Zone is crucial

Since 1991 (26 years) I’ve been on this grunting project, and the hard work is done! For future volunteers, the below tables describe the time and commitment required to maintain the achievement (approx. 30hrs each year).

A monthly commitment of 15min per meadow is required to sustain the achievements. It’s now my great hope that a person or family adopt each meadow; if you have a favorite spot you’d like to take care of, contact Jarrett @ jarrettteague@yahoo.ca to begin:

Despite John Dean Park’s current exceptional situation; baby broom produces seeds during its third year. Therefore it’s essential that all broom be removed immediately to hedge against the 35mth deadline.

The best time to surge on broom is October to December; conduct double checks January to February; avoid flower areas March to June; the monthly 15min per meadow is crucial

Leadership offers an allowance for each meadow; suggest $2 per hour to directly reimburse clothing and expenses, or to encourage and thank volunteers. As of 2016, each of the nine zones requires 3hrs per year (approx. $6 per meadow/total $54 each year forever.

I’m worried if my recommendations aren’t followed, and broom regrows to +3yrs, seeds will be deposited thereby creating a setback of 7yrs, meaning more and more work for future volunteers; and

Broom leadership is true stewardship, which I believe belongs within the Friends of John Dean Park Society (where I started). I believe it’s the duty of a volunteer to operate whereby less work is required from future volunteers.

One Comment

Thanks Jarrett for everything that you do for our glorious mountain. Your work shows. On top of everything you have come up with a plan for keeping the broom out, what an effort. I will gladly continue to remove any small broom plants that I see as I am enjoying the park. Putting in 15 minutes a month is a small commitment.